Overdose (BXB) Completed/Editing

Epilogue

Epilogue - Overdose

"Mr. Astor, how are you?"

"I'm great, thank you. How about yourself?"

"Can't complain."

"Where's Ty?"

Mrs. Williams leads me down a long hallway and into a room where kids are playing various games and toys are scattered about recklessly. I search the room and the moment my eyes land on him, he turns to me. Without hesitation, he drops the toy train and dashes toward me. I kneel and open my arms to catch him. "Dad!" He screams before slamming into me. I smile and pick him up, "Hey buddy, how was your day? I missed you!" I spin him around and he giggles wildly.

"I made you something," he says, digging into his pocket. He pulls out a bracelet that has three plastic charms with letters on each. N. T. A. I smile and hug him tightly, "I love it. You know he's going to be jealous right?" I say looking up at him, he bites his lip, frowning, "I could only make one. Can we get him ice cream? So he won't be jealous?" He asks, grabbing my necklace and running his small fingers over the pendant. I chuckle, "Let's do that, we'll get him ice cream and flowers."

I set him down and he runs to his cubby to grab his book bag. "He's so sweet. I love having him in my class," Mrs. Williams smiles warmly. I look towards him and nod, "that's good to hear, we were worried that he wouldn't adjust well."

"Well don't be, five-year-olds adjust quickly, especially if their life at home is filled with love. From the looks of it, he gets plenty of that." She places a comforting hand on my shoulder just as Ty runs back to me.

"Dad, let's go! We have to get ice cream!" He pulls me towards the door. "Are you forgetting something?" I ask, smiling down at him. He scans the room and then his eyes stop on Mrs. Williams. "Wait here, dad," He commands before running to her, his curls bouncing with each step.

"I'll see you on Monday, thank you for teaching me the alphabet song and... for...helping me make my dad's bracelet. Can I have a hug?" He asks, holding his arms up. She smiles before hugging him gently, "Have a good weekend, sweetheart."

With that, I take his hand and we make our way to the parking lot. I make sure he's secured in the backseat before getting in the driver's seat and starting the car. As I drive, I keep checking the rearview to make sure he's okay. He stared out of the window the entire time and when we made it to the store, he was too eager to get out.

"Which flavor do you think he'll like?" I ask as we stare into the freezer.

He points to the chocolate one and I chuckle. "Isn't that your favorite flavor, buddy?" I ask, picking him up and opening the freezer door. He giggles, "if he shares, I don't want it to be the other yucky flavors." He whispers as if he were telling me a secret.

"How about we get four different ones, then you have one for yourself and he can choose which one he likes," I suggest and his eyes light up. "Yes!"

We picked out four flavors and at the checkout, Ty wanted to pay so I let him give the cashier a twenty-dollar bill. She gave him the change and he handed it to me. He skipped the whole way to the car, and I got him secured in before making the short drive to our house.

I park the car in the driveway instead of putting it in the garage. We'll be leaving soon so it wouldn't make sense. I let Ty carry the bag into the house and before I can close the door behind us, he takes off running to the office. "No running, buddy!" I shout but it's far too late because he's already made it across the house.

"Daddy! We're home...with ice cream!"

His voice bounces off the walls and I can't help but chuckle. "Hiii, oh my gosh, you got Ben and Jerry's!" I hear Nico exclaim from the office. The door opens and he picks Ty up. I set the keys and flowers on the counter and walk towards them. "Why'd you get four, buddy?" He asks, walking over to me.